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Utah

Regulatory Framework

As of 2024, adult-use cannabis remained illegal in Utah. [^1]

The Utah Center for Medical Cannabis (UCMC) acts as the lead regulator for the state's medical cannabis program, overseen by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) [^2]. The UCMC also has a Medical Cannabis Policy Advisory Board [3].

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) oversees the licensing, regulation, and testing of medical cannabis cultivators and processors [^4]. They also have the Cannabis Production Establishment Licensing Board and manage Utah's industrial hemp program [^5] [^6].

The Secretary of State's office maintains the business registration database, including for medical cannabis businesses [^7].

Legal Status

In 2014, legislation legalizing the possession and use of low-THC CBD oil was signed into law. The Utah voters passed the Medical Cannabis Act (Proposition 2) in November 2018, legalizing cannabis use for patients with qualifying conditions [^8].

Market Status Statute
Adult-Use Illegal Utah Code 76-3 (Punishments) [^1]
Medical Legal Utah Code 26B-4-2 (Cannabinoid Research and Medical Cannabis) and 58-37.3.7 (Medical cannabis decriminalization) [^8]
Homegrow Illegal Utah Code 76-3 (Punishments)

Track-and-Trace

Leaf Data Systems was selected by Utah in 2019 to develop the initial medical marijuana seed-to-sale tracking system [^9]. On August 5, 2024, the Center is scheduled to switch to an updated Electronic Verification System (EVS) which will be used to manage medical cannabis applications for patients and providers [^10] [^11].

Licensing

License Type Description
Limited Medical Provider Provides medical cannabis recommendations to patients and can petition the Compassionate Use Board.
Qualified Medical Provider / QMP Proxy Licensed medical practitioners able to prescribe controlled substances may recommend medical cannabis treatments.
Pharmacy Medical Provider Pharmacies/physicians which may recommend medical cannabis.
Provider Continuing Education Offers continuing education to medical cannabis providers.

Possession Limits

Patients may possess or purchase no more than a 30-day supply based on their doctor's recommendations. The limits are:

  • 113 grams of unprocessed cannabis (flower).
  • 20 grams of total composite THC in all other medicinal dosage forms [^14].

Medical Cannabis

Patients can register for the medical cannabis program if they are 18 years or older, Utah residents, have a qualifying medical condition diagnosed by a licensed physician, and submit the required application and fees [^15]. Conditions include:

  • HIV/AIDS
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
  • Cancer
  • Cachexia
  • Persistent nausea unresponsive to traditional treatment
  • Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Epilepsy or debilitating seizures
  • Multiple sclerosis or persistent muscle spasms
  • PTSD (under certain conditions)
  • Autism
  • Terminal illness with less than 6 months life expectancy
  • Hospice care
  • Federally rare conditions
  • Persistent and acute pain (under certain conditions)

Patients with conditions not on this list can petition the Compassionate Use Board for a medical cannabis card on a case-by-case basis [^16].

Registered caregivers must be 21 or older, Utah residents, pass a background check, complete a training program, and provide care for a qualifying patient in the same household [^15].

The UCMC publishes program news and a quarterly newsletter, but does not have a calendar of events [^17]. The UDAF schedules meetings of their Cannabis Production Establishment Licensing Board [^5].

Additional Resources

References